COMMUNISM AND RELIGION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1932, Page 6

COMMUNISM AND RELIGION.

Now that Church as well as State haa denounced Communism in such unmeasured terms, many people would like to know where they stand. Surely there are many forms of Communism and Socialism, and not all forms are condemned by ecclesiastical authority. During the late World War tlie English Government took over absolute control of all sources of production, and even over men's liberties and lives; yet we heard no protest from any quarter on the ground that this was Communism. It is difficult to Lelieve that Communism is an invention of the devil, as it is successfully practised by all the religious orders throughout the world. St. Luke tells us the early Christians were all Communists. They practised Communism for at least two hundred and fifty years. In that great community "bond and free" were alike. There was no distinction in the sight of God, none in the Church. They put the slave, in their treatment, on the like footing with his owner. All men were to have dominion alike for "there i<3 no respect of persons with God." lam inclined to think that Communism, like capitalism, will be pagan in a pagan country and Christian in a Christian country. I would lto to know why it should be taken for granted that any form of Communism must be pagan, or, to use a modern term, "anti-God"? _ Itljj strange that one never hears of an "anti-God capitalist. T.J.D. ,